Jessica Pugh is an American actress, singer, choreographer, and dancer living in Dallas Texas. She is currently performing with the Dallas Opera in the production, La Traviata shown at the Winspear. We caught up with Jessica to get her thoughts on pursuing happiness through the arts.

POH: How long have you been in theater?

JP: I started dancing when I was three. I became serious about theater when I was in high school and received scholarships for college in dance, choir and theater.

POH: What do you enjoy most about theater?

JP: I love how you can apply what you learn from the arts into other aspects of your life: discipline, organization, competing, memory and respect. Also I been able to live out some of my childhood fantasies! I've been a ballerina, a 20's flapper, a vampire, a gypsy, and a first class passenger on the Titanic to name a few.

POH: Have you ever had a time in your life where you've had to overcome adversity?

JP: Yes. I am very lucky that I have always had an awesome support system with my family and friends. The hardest time I ever went though I leaned mostly on the show I was working on. It gave me a purpose and a reason to keep going. POH: What is your favorite thing about the arts?

JP: The amazing talented people I have been so blessed to work with over the years and the friendships I have gained along the way.

POH: How do you think the arts are related to happiness?

JP: I think the arts are happiness! If you are in the show, you are happy doing something you love. If you are watching the show you are transported into a story, and become interested and involved with the characters. I've never seen anyone walk out of a show with a frown on their face!

POH: What would you say to all the people out there struggling to find their happiness?

JP: Try everything to find what makes you happy and what you love to do. We are all different, what makes someone else happy may not work for you and that's okay. It's what makes you unique!